Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?
I used to be. I used to be proud to be British. No longer and probably not for the reasons many would think. It’s just too divisive a feeling.
In the family of humanity no nationality is any better than another? Most countries have something to be proud of.
I’m grateful to live in my country and also appalled by it in some ways. What it meant to be British has sadly been diluted and lost, we have more violence and less humanity.
You may think this comment reflects the changed make up of our society, but it doesn’t. Long before immigration grew there was more violence creeping in. The Kray Twins alone were a national disgrace.
In fact the most authentically British people I’ve met for a long time are my last five audiologists. All with Muslim heritage. Their customer service is off the scales, as is their kindness and determination to take care of me. So no, not racist. They’re what it meant to be British in my youth.
It’s deeper though
What stopped me being proud to be British was that I raided I was a citizen of the world (even universe) and at heart a soul. I became more inclusive in my outlook. If you believe that soul is at the heart of everything you can’t feel any other way. We’re one.
My soul needed to be at peace with this human. Trust me, you really don’t want to disappoint your higher self. Start studying the inner meaning of spirituality and there are no get out clauses and no hiding places, especially in your own head.
The non-divisive soul world
For me this is one world with a set of place names. It is also a spirit world because souls live here.
What if we all thought like that?
If everyone agreed that it doesn’t matter where you come from, nor does your race, colour, creed, or gender. My beliefs say that you may be part of my wider soul family, you may be a centuries old friend. Even if that’s not the case, you are still ultimately soul.
No I’m not soft, some humans do their souls tremendous damage and I have no time for that behaviour. You can’t condone any violence if you believe in oneness. And that’s oneness with all living things.
But as a general concept, we are one, with some thorns in our side. Too many of whom (the thorns) are in power of one kind or another.
So my patriotism is world-wide. It would be so easy to change that belief at a time in history like this, but what good would that do?
Throughout this world there are millions upon millions or ordinary people just wanting everyone they love to be safe, happy, well fed, with water to drink, and full lives to live.
I want that for us all too.
With love
Deb xx
Deb Hawken - Amorah 